Improvement in ironing-tables



L. SCFIELD. -luning-Tbles.-

Patented Nov. 25,1873.

. WITJVESSES AUNITED STATES Pernaut @Prion LEVI SCOFIELD, OF GRAND HAVEN, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO HIMSELF AND i JUSTIN B. WAIT, OF SAME PLACE.

IMPRovl-:MENT |N lRoNlNe-TABLESQ Specification forming part'of Leiters Patent No. 144,869, dated November 25, 1873; application filed October 20, 1873.

. same; and Fig. 3 is a view, showing the table folded up.

Similar letters of reference in the accompanying drawings denote the same parts.

Hy in vention has for its object to improve the construction of that class of ironing-tables which are provided with folding legs or supports for the purpose of adapting them for use in ironing large and small garments withequa] facility. To this end the invention consists, iirst, in the employment of a hinged ironingboard or table-top, provided with cleats on its under surface, in combination with a front pivoted support having a swinging brace attached to its lower end to resist longitudinal strain on the table, as hereinafter more fully set forth. It consists, secondly, in constructing the main supporting-frame so that it shall form a system of braces at the rear end of the table, for the purpose of resisting longitudinal strain upon the latter in ironing, and so that any increase in the weight upon the table shall proportionately increase the iirmness and rigidity of the supporting-frame.

In the accompanying drawings, A is the table-top, hinged at its wide rear end to the upper ends of two parallel bars, B B, which are secured together bythe central rod C and end rods l). These bars incline downward under the table to a point beneath its front end, and

carry'upon their cross-bar two shorter parallel bars, E E, inclining rearward, as shown. F F are vertical parallel bars articulated upon the lower cross-rod of the bars E, and having their upper ends notched or recessed to t under one of the top cross-rods of the long bars. They are also connected by suitable cross-rods to afford the necessary strength. These various bars thus arranged form the main supporting-frame of the table. Gr is the front support, composed of two bars connected together by cross-rods and hinged or pivoted upon the lower cross-rod of the long bars B. It is made considerably narrower than the frame formed by the bars B, to correspond with the narrow end of the table-top. The upper end of this front support is adapted to be moved along under the table, so as to rest either against the end cleat H or the cleat I in rear of it. When it is desired to iron small garments the support is moved back against the rear cleat I, as vshown in dotted lines, Fig. 2. This leaves the small end of the top in the form of a narrow shelf, over and upon which the garment is placed withoutbeing obstructed or interfered with by the support.

In ironing large garments the support is swung out against the cleat H, and the tabletop swung up upon its hinges. The garment is then slipped over and upon the top and the latter again swung down to its place. By this means almost the entire length of the table is left free for the garment to pass around, which may, therefore, be readily moved upon the board, in ironing, without being caught by theY supporting-legs.

The construction of the front support, as above described, admits of the ironing-board being made very narrow at the front end to receive smaller articles than are usually ironed upon a table of this class.

J is a short brace pivoted. to the side of the front support, as shown, so that its lower end shall rest upon the iioor. This brace is for the purpose of holding the support upright when the'table is swung up or raised. In the position shown in the drawings it holds the support when inclined forward. Vhen the latter is inclined to the rear, however, the brace should be swungl over, as shown by dotted lines, Fig. 2. If desired, a cord or brace may be used instead of the brace J, so arranged as to connect the central rod of the long bars with the front support at any suitable point.

Owing to the construction of the main supporting-frame, it acts as a brace against the longitudinal swing ofthe table in ironing, and any weight placed upon the table presses the upper end of the long bars downward and the lower ends of the short bars upward, vso as to hold the vertical bars more iirmly in position.

the whole constructed, arranged, and operated in the manner and for the purpose set forth.

2. The supporting frame B hinged to the table-top, in combination with the articulated `oars E E and F F, the latter being provided with recesses in their upper ends, which en gage with the rod D, substantially as described, and forv the purpose set forth.

LEV SGOFIELD.

Witnesses:

TnoMAs F. HoWE, JOHN LEVI HOWF., 

